Letters to the Editor

Comments, Questions, and Answers investigation reveals that the following states either have not yet set up certifying procedure or are engaged in negotiating among the telephone company(ies), organizations of deaf people , and the public utility commission to establish procedures: Alabama, Alaska, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, and West Virginia. The following states are modifying existing rate regulations: Connecticut, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina. nomic status of deaf persons; and to work with other groups in the general community. Present efforts of the Foundation are aimed toward securing funds, setting up an executive office, and recruiting members. The President is Dr. Robert Harris, 1824 Marshall Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104. Letters to the Editor COMMENT—A national conference on social aspects of deafness is to be held at Gallaudet College in June 1982. The meeting, sponsored by the Department of Sociology and Social Work, will cover six areas: socialization, social aspects of education, the deaf community and population, socio-economic status, interpersonal communication, and social change as they relate to deafness. Monographs covering these six topics will be the basis of discussion. COMMENT—Deaf drivers will be accepted as employees at the U.S. Postal Service as a result of settlement of a suit brought by the Department of Public Advocacy of New Jersey on behalf of Karl Flail. Mr. Flail is now taking training to qualify as a letter carrier, operating a motor vehicle of less than 10,000 pounds. Higher weight vehicles are not covered by this decision. The irony of this case is that the exclusion reads like the ancient ruling (1940s) on deafness for civil service applicants: to hear a watch tick at 15 feet. The exact wording which is rescinded: "Ability to hear the conversational voice 15 feet in one ear, hearing aid permitted, is required." COMMENT—Captioned versions of filmstrips produced by the National Geographic Educational Services, Washington, DC 20036, are now available for use with deaf children. A brochure from National Geographic lists 14 strips, dealing chiefly with nature and science. Teachers' guides and cassettes are available. COMMENT—The Minnesota Association of Deaf Citizens has established a new nonprofit, private corporation called Deafness Education and Advocacy Foundation. Purpose of the corporation is to focus all elements of the deaf community to promote awareness of needs and rights; improve educational, social, and ecoTo the Editor: I have the utmost respect and admiration for the contributions of McCay Vernon and have often been in awe at the times that I have heard him speak. It pains me now to take exception to his editorial in the August '81 issue of the AAD. What he says is politically naive and irresponsible. He makes the mistake of blaming the victim for the aggression. The Reagan-Stockman proposals have nothing whatever to do with "fiscally irresponsible Utopian fantasies incorporated into the legislation." Although Utopian ideals should be recognized as having a constructive role to play in raising the level of man's humanity, the recommendations written into legislation are made by professionals in response to long time need and neglect. They are never Utopian but they are frequently ignored or under-appropriated in implementing programs. The Reagan-Stockman proposals should be recognized as this administration's retreat from concern with the "common man" to favoring the rich and powerful. Other groups have the political savvy to understand this. Deaf groups should understand this also if they want to protect their place in society. Jeanne Divorkin, Director VEA Program for Deaf Adults N. Y. City Technical College To the Editor: In the June 1981 issue of the Annals there appeared a critique by Morris Shames of an article authored by Garrison, Tesch and DeCaro (Annals, Dec. 1978). Given the linchpin status attributed to the study by Mr. Shames, we felt a responsibility to respond to his technical criticisms. Mr. Shames objects to the comparison (staA .A.D. !February 1982 4 Letters to the Editor tistical) in test performance of a sample of deaf adolescents to a normative hearing sample upon which the Tennessee Self Concept Scale (TSCS: Fitts, 1965) was standardized, indicating that the two samples cannot be considered equivalent in all respects. Failing to investigate...